Tortured into a false confession while a POW in Korea, Major Lincoln Bond returns to active service as a test pilot. Determined to clear his name, Bond battles a hard-nosed base commander, prejudiced officers and his own insecurities.
Practical Effects
Real Bell X-2 and Douglas Skyrocket footage — no CGI, just guts and fuel.
Acting
Holden's twitchy vulnerability beneath the stoic flyboy facade.
Cinematography
Edwards AFB location shooting captures desert isolation beautifully.
Director
Mervyn LeRoy
William Holden
Maj. Lincoln Bond
Lloyd Nolan
Brig. Gen. Bill Banner
Virginia Leith
Connie Mitchell
Charles McGraw
Col. 'Mickey' McKee
Murray Hamilton
Maj. Bromo Lee
Paul Fix
Lt. Gen. Bryan Shelby
James Garner
Lt. Col. Joe Craven
L.Q. Jones
2nd Lt. Sweeney
Karen Steele
Polly Craven
Bartlett Robinson
Sen. Black
Malcolm Atterbury
Hank
Ralph Moody
Harvey Gilbert
Carol Kelly
Debbie
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The film features authentic footage of the Bell X-2, which set altitude records before killing its pilot in a crash shortly after filming wrapped.
Released months after the U-2 incident and Sputnik panic, this was Hollywood's attempt to make test pilots sympathetic again after 'Strategic Air Command' glorified nuclear bombers.
US
